MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has partnered with several civil society organizations to strengthen the monitoring of public infrastructure projects and safeguard government funds from corruption and irregularities.

In a memorandum of cooperation signed on Thursday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon formalized the partnership with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and its advocacy arm Caritas Philippines (CBCP-Caritas), Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), and Taongbayan’s Action for Participatory, Accountable, and Transparent Governance (TAPAT).

The collaboration follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to adopt a whole-of-society approach to ensure that public infrastructure projects are implemented properly and that funds are used efficiently.

Secretary Dizon emphasized the vital role of different sectors in promoting transparency and accountability within the department.

“Noong kinausap ako ng Pangulo, the President did not tell me to defend DPWH and what’s been going on there. The President told me to reform DPWH. At ito ang ginagawa natin ngayon kasama ang iba’t ibang mga grupo, tulad ng ating mga mayors, ang ating CBCP, at iba pang mga civil society organizations,” Dizon said.

He added that transparency will be the most important reform and legacy of the Marcos administration.

“Ang pinaka-importanteng reporma na iiwang legasiya ng ating Pangulo is ‘yung transparency. It all starts with transparency,” he said.

Under the agreement, the DPWH and partner organizations will collaborate in reporting and validating infrastructure projects across the country.

Dizon said the department also plans to expand cooperation with other government agencies and the private sector in line with President Marcos’ directive to institute sweeping reforms and clean up the DPWH.